Marie-Celestin Karondwa, acting president of the UDPS federal executive committee in Butembo, Democratic Republic of Congo, was killed on September 27, 2026, after speaking on the radio to urge Ebola prevention. He was attacked by residents of his own neighborhood, who beat him, looted his belongings, and set his house on fire. Karondwa's party, the UDPS, which leads Congo's government, said he was an innocent victim for having defended the party's position on the existence of the Ebola virus disease.
The Ebola outbreak in the DRC, declared on May 15, 2026, has infected 8,067 people and killed 3,901, according to government figures released on September 28, 2026. Butembo is now a hotspot, with aid workers in protective gear disinfecting the Kitatumba treatment centre, run by Médecins Sans Frontières. The city has become a key location in the efforts to contain the outbreak of the Bundibugyo species.
Karondwa's killing is the latest in a series of attacks on Ebola response teams, highlighting persistent mistrust among the population. On September 26, 2026, armed men attacked a hand-washing checkpoint in nearby Beni territory, killing at least one person and wounding several others. These attacks show that people are refusing to accept that the Ebola threat exists.
The UDPS federation in Butembo said Karondwa was targeted for his politics and his message. His killing raises questions about the risks faced by frontline workers and community figures who carry prevention messages. Every prevention message delivered by a local leader now carries risk, and it is unclear whether it is safe for others to speak out.
The Congolese authorities must investigate Karondwa's killing transparently and establish who was responsible and why. An unsolved killing sends a message to would-be messengers about the costs of speaking out. Responders, community broadcasters, and local leaders need real security, not just statements of solidarity.
To rebuild trust, credible, locally rooted voices are needed, along with transparency about what the state knows and does not know. Treating fear as a public health problem in its own right is also crucial. The government and health organizations must work to build trust and ensure that communities believe in the importance of Ebola prevention.
Karondwa's legacy should be honored by making sure that the next person who says the same thing on the radio lives to say it again. His killing highlights the challenges faced by those working to contain the Ebola outbreak in the DRC and the need for a more nuanced approach that takes into account the concerns and fears of local communities.
Key points
- The killing of Marie-Celestin Karondwa highlights the risks faced by frontline workers and community figures who carry prevention messages in the DRC Ebola outbreak.
- The Congolese authorities must investigate Karondwa's killing transparently to establish who was responsible and why.
- Rebuilding trust is crucial to containing the Ebola outbreak, and this can be achieved through credible, locally rooted voices and transparency about what the state knows and does not know.
